Missing person at UNH turns out to be hoax

Saturday

Jan 26, 2013 at 3:15 AM

By Andrea Bulfinchabulfinch@fosters.com

DURHAM — Though search efforts were dispatched and executed beginning around 10 p.m. Thursday evening, University of New Hampshire officials say there was never a report of a missing person on the school campus.

According to Media Relations Director Erika Mantz, dispatch took a call from a man who stated he was “naked and outside.”

She said there was no background noise, however, and no sound from cars passing by in the area of Main Street and Mast Road, the area the man finally provided as his location, Mantz said.

Immediately, an all-out search was initiated, as was heard over emergency radio communications.

“As with any call, they begin a search,” Mantz said.

She said officials attempted to trace a location and number, but were unsuccessful.

“Unfortunately, these things happen,” she said.

Whether the person responsible is connected to the university — or even the state — is unknown, she said.

Thursday evening, first responders could be seen canvassing Boulder Field and its perimeter behind the Field House with hand-held lights. A couple of UNH police cruisers were also visible on scene.

Officials had also thought the man who claimed to be lost may also have been intoxicated. With the extremely low temperatures Thursday night, his well-being was a major concern.

Officials were not able to ascertain an exact location or trace the phone number from where the call was made.